Instructor Class Description

Contemporary American Indian Literature: A Northwest Focus

Literature and poetry of the Pacific Northwest (Coast and Plateau) Native peoples. Contemporary literature and discussion of social and cultural issues raised by American Indian writers and writing. Offered: AW.

Class description

Contemporary poets, authors and short fiction writers who are from the Arctic, Canadian west coast and U.S Pacific Northwest. Literature includes writers from Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Beginning with the oral resonance of contemporary American Indian literature the class follows writers into their encounters with community, contemporary social issues and identity.

Student learning goals

Recognize, discuss and write on a spectrum of writers from American Indian and First Nations tribal communities in the North and Northwest.

Recognize and then demonstrate your knowledge of the different positions that these writers have taken in the politics of representing Native America

Be able to define, discuss and analyze the importance of relationship, voice, context, politics and aesthetic in American Indian literature

Honor, discuss and write from your own experience in the presence of those with different experiences, the authors and your fellow classmates

Demonstrate critical and reflexive thought in writing and in small group discussions

General method of instruction

Hybrid,multimedia with large group and small group discussion in classroom, small group assignment

Recommended preparation

Enjoy reading and writing about literatures; strong respectful interest in different traditions.

Class assignments and grading

Reading and analysis assignments key to success, small group discussion assignments, short expository papers, and small group presentation.

Grades assigned for completion of written work demonstrating comprehension of main concepts taught in the course, and participation in discussion groups.

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Dian L. Million
Date: 08/20/2013

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Modified:April 23, 2014